Surrogate Pay & Benefits
How Much Does a Surrogate Get Paid?
Our surrogates can earn $75,000+ in total compensation, including benefits. Circle believes that our surrogates deserve exceptional pay for their incredible commitment. With over 30 years of experience, we've built a compensation package around what surrogates actually need — from guaranteed pay to full medical coverage. Your compensation includes a personalized base pay, starting at $45,000 and dependent on where you live, plus numerous perks and essential coverages for you and your family. And our Journey Protection™ Pay Promise ensures you receive 100% of your qualified compensation.
Surrogate Pay Can Help Your Family
We know being a surrogate is about more than the money — it's about helping make parenthood possible for other families. Being a surrogate is a selfless and generous gift, and it's okay to ask about compensation and the benefits of being a surrogate so you can financially plan for your family.
You may be able to:
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Buy your dream home
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Purchase a new family car
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Fund your child's future education
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Book that big family vacation
"I was able to upgrade our family car, contribute to our kiddos college fund, and plan a trip of a lifetime with my family all thanks to surrogacy!"
-Heather, Circle Surrogate
Circle’s Comprehensive Compensation Package
When you become a surrogate with us, you can expect the services and resources of a large agency without sacrificing that small agency feel. Our commitment to you, your family, and your journey does not stop with your base pay. In fact, you will receive additional benefits and perks along the way.
Our compensation includes:
Base Pay and Journey Milestone Payments
Paid directly to you
Special Perks and Gifts
Paid directly to you
Legal, Medical, and Life Insurance Benefits
Paid on your behalf
Our generous base pay starts at $45,000. You will also receive medical, legal, and life insurance benefits, plus pregnancy perks and gifts. Every surrogate's package is unique, and we work with you to understand your needs and build the right one for you and your family.
With our Journey Protection™ Pay Promise, we ensure all of our surrogates receive 100% of their qualified compensation. We created our Journey Protection™ Pay Promise because we truly care about our surrogates, and we want each of them to have the most successful and stress-free journey possible — with full transparency, no surprises, and lost-wages support that extends to your partner, too.
Our commitments to you:
Guaranteed Compensation
You will always be paid, no matter what.
Circle financially backs all intended parents, so your escrow account is always funded in advance. You'll always be paid in full and on time, even if unexpected costs arise.
No Medical Bill Liability
Never pay a medical bill. Ever.
We take on the liability for medical bills. While we can never stop having you receive medical bills (you are the "patient"), our fixed-cost program for intended parents allows us to protect both you and your intended parents to ensure all medical bills will be paid in a timely manner.
Your rights are always protected.
All surrogates work directly with a surrogacy attorney for legal guidance to ensure their rights are protected. You will have an attorney separate from your intended parents. Your legal counsel ensures the terms of your contract with your intended parents are fair, and that your voice is heard. All of your legal fees are paid for by your intended parents.
Life Insurance
Your family is protected, too.
Your peace of mind and your family's security are of the utmost importance. Circle ensures you and your family are protected throughout your journey with a $500,000 life insurance plan, purchased by your intended parents. This coverage provides additional security and demonstrates our commitment to supporting not just you but your family throughout this journey.
If by chance you are accepted into our surrogate program, are medically cleared, and matched with intended parents — but you don’t become pregnant — we will compensate you for your time, energy, and dedication thus far in your journey (up to $5,000 total).
How We Protect You and Your Family
True protection is more than just good intentions. It means having thoughtful, effective ways to care for your well-being and your family’s security throughout your surrogate journey.
Over the past three decades, we have built protections into every part of the surrogate experience — guaranteed compensation, fully funded legal representation, life insurance, and full medical bill coverage. From our thorough application process to our ongoing emotional support, we understand that this decision affects your entire family — which is why our support extends far beyond just compensation.
Heather Wilkinson
Circle Senior Manager of Surrogate Success
2x Experienced Surrogate
Surrogate Pay and Benefits Timing
Surrogates receive compensation throughout the duration of their journeys, with payments made pre-pregnancy, during pregnancy, and post-pregnancy. Because a surrogate journey spans 16-18 months, women are paid not only their base pay, but also additional payments before, throughout, and after pregnancy — some as money in your pocket, others just as valuable, like monthly social work support, legal counsel, life insurance, and a supportive surrogate community.
A gestational carrier from any surrogacy-friendly state can earn $50,000 - $75,000+ in total compensation and benefits.
Typical Surrogate Compensation*
Total Estimated Compensation: $50,000 - $75,000+
What makes up your compensation
Amount
Base pay
$45,000+
Journey-based payments: monthly allowance, milestone payments, pumping, lost wages for you and your partner, and childcare
Varies by journey
Surrogate benefits: life insurance, gifts, and milestone gift cards
~$1,460
Total Estimated Compensation
$50,000 - $75,000+
Additional Perks and Surrogate Benefits
When you join us to help others create a family, the benefits and perks you receive go far beyond your compensation. We appreciate YOU, including your emotional and physical commitment throughout the surrogate process.
Our surrogates receive these benefits and perks during their journey:
Benefits Paid on Your Behalf
Your intended parents will cover all medical bills, pay for your legal counsel, and purchase complications insurance, maternity coverage, and a $500,000 life insurance policy on your behalf — while a surrogate pregnancy carries similar risks to your previous pregnancies, this policy ensures your family is protected should anything happen to you during the journey.
Perks Just for You
You'll also receive perks during your pregnancy and after delivery, like family meals and a maternity clothing allowance as baby grows.
Gifts and Extras to Add Comfort to the Journey
You’ll receive little tokens of appreciation throughout your surrogacy — gifts to use while pregnant or gifts to simply enjoy. These surprise gifts arrive at meaningful moments during your journey, from care packages during your medication phase to celebration gifts after major milestones. Each gift is thoughtfully chosen to show appreciation for your dedication and to add special touches of comfort and joy throughout your experience.
Support From Day One
You'll have access to support from a welcoming Circle team and a helpful, private Circle surrogate social community.
One of the first people you speak with at Circle may be an experienced surrogate on our team who's with you through the process until you are matched with intended parents. They will help you meet your dedicated, in-house mental health professional and journey support team.
You'll also connect with other surrogates through our private online community — filled with birth stories, advice, and words of encouragement, and sometimes surrogates near you to meet in real life — as well as support groups shaped by surrogates like you, one-on-one mentorship, and special events.
Birth Choice Empowerment
We understand that not all surrogates prefer the same birthing method, so we empower you to decide what's best for you. You can choose your birth options, such as a doula, a hospital birth, or using a birth center with a midwife — and you'll have access to post-partum resources and support as you recover, including our 4th Trimester Care Package.
Surrogacy Payment Schedule
Surrogacy payment spans the three stages of your surrogate journey — pre-pregnancy, during pregnancy, and post-birth. The chart lays out when you can expect payments to make it easier to financially plan for your family.
Standard Surrogate Compensation
$3,000 before pregnancy begins, advanced from your base pay, plus $750 for each embryo transfer paid in addition to your base pay. Travel and lost wages are covered with no cap, and childcare at $20/hour, up to $160/day.
Protections
Perks
Allowances
Compensation
Pre-Pregnancy
Pre-Pregnancy total
Social Work Screening Advance*
$500
Signing Advance*
$1,000
Medical Screening Advance*
$500
Medical Clearance to Transfer*
$1,000
Embryo Transfer (each transfer)
$750
Travel and Meals for Medical Screening
All expenses + $150/day
Travel and Meals for Embryo Transfer
All expenses + $150/day
Flex Spending
$200/month; begins with medications
Lost Wages (once for each transfer)
Varies based on pay stub, no cap
[OR] Childcare (one for each transfer)
$20/hour (up to $160/day)
Travel Companion’s Lost Wages (once for each transfer)
Lost wages: Varies based on pay stub, no cap
Mileage (related to contract obligations)
IRS standard rate
Guaranteed minimum: your $45,000+ base pay, personalized based on where you live, paid in nine monthly installments starting at confirmation of heartbeat — less the $3,000 advanced to you before pregnancy. You’ll also receive $500 (singleton)/$750 (twins) in guaranteed maternity clothing, up to $400 for housekeeping or meal delivery, and $200/month in ongoing flex spending.
Pregnancy
Compensation
Perks
Base Pay (split into nine payments paid monthly, starting with confirmation of heartbeat)
$45,000+
(personalized for each surrogate based on where you live)
Pregnancy total
Flex Spending
$200/month continues
Maternity Clothing (one-time)
$500 singleton/$750 twins
Housekeeping or Meal Delivery (one-time)
Up to $400
Guaranteed minimum: $700 in flex spending and a family meal gift card. Lost wages are based on your pay stub, for up to 6 weeks (vaginal) or 8 weeks (C-section). Partner recovery wages are also based on your partner’s pay stub, for up to 2 days (vaginal) or 5 days (C-section). If you choose to pump, $250/week, plus up to $1,000 in pumping supplies reimbursement.
Post-Pregnancy: 4th Trimester Care Package
Allowances
Perks
Protections
Pumping Supplies Reimbursement
Up to $1,000
Post-Pregnancy total
Flex Spending (one-time)
$500
Family Meal Gift Card (one-time)
$200
Pumping Incentive
$250/week
Lost Wages (once)
Varies based on pay stub:
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Up to 6 weeks (Vaginal)
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Up to 8 weeks (C-section)
[OR] Childcare (one for each transfer)
$20/hour (up to $160/day)
Partner Recovery Wages (once)
Varies based on pay stub:
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Up to 2 days (Vaginal)
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Up to 5 days (C-section)
*Paid in advance from your base pay
Surrogate Pay FAQs
Because we financially back intended parents, the escrow account will always be funded. Our Pay Promise to you is that you are 100% guaranteed pay, no matter what happens.
No. Your intended parents will pay the fees outlined for you in your screening and agreed upon in the contract. This is not meant to be an out-of-pocket expense to you.
Reimbursements are paid in equal monthly installments starting around the 6–8 week mark, once your pregnancy is confirmed by a heartbeat. Payments go out on the first of each month. If you’re carrying multiples, an additional fee is paid over the last five months. Pregnancies are considered viable at 34 weeks (32 for multiples); if you deliver before 40 weeks, you’ll receive a lump sum for the remaining balance. Any other miscellaneous fees are covered in your surrogacy screening.
Circle does not provide surrogates with 1099s. Tax laws vary from state to state, so you should speak with a tax attorney or accountant who is well-versed in your surrogacy contract and the surrogacy process about your specific situation.
Our Journey Protection™ Program covers all the insurance expenses that your intended parents are responsible for paying. Attorneys at Circle review your insurance policy to see what may be covered by that policy and if additional insurance is needed — if so, Circle will purchase that on behalf of your intended parents. In the end, your intended parents, backed by our Journey Protection™ Program, will cover all expenses related to pregnancy and delivery, including co-payments, deductibles, co-insurance, or denied claims.
Your intended parents will cover any necessary travel expenses for you and your travel companion to their IVF clinic for the screening and transfer, including lost wages or childcare coverage.
Yes, your partner — or primary support person — will be paid for lost wages when traveling with you for your medical screening and embryo transfer, as well as being compensated for lost wages after your delivery.
Generally speaking, surrogacy applicants must be between the ages of 21 and 42, have a history of uncomplicated pregnancies, and live in a surrogacy-friendly state — we are unable to accept applicants from Nebraska or Louisiana at this time. We invite you to review our detailed requirements and complete the online questionnaire if you're uncertain whether you qualify.
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"Everything was so perfect! I’m so very blessed to have been matched with the most amazing IPs and seeing the love and adoration on their faces when they look at their beautiful daughter, makes this journey more than fulfilling! Thank you to everyone on the Circle team for all of your help and support in making this the best journey ever!"
-Amber, Circle Surrogate
Ready to Help Your Family?
Surrogacy creates beautiful connections between families while helping you achieve your own goals. When you become a surrogate, you're giving the incredible gift of parenthood to others who have always dreamed of welcoming a baby home. This meaningful journey builds lasting bonds and memories that extend far beyond the financial benefits. Ready to explore how surrogacy could benefit your family while helping others? Start your surrogacy journey today.